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Hospice to host Celebration of Life

Hospice of Hilo will host its ninth annual Celebration of Life at Wailoa State Park on Saturday, May 4. Participants can dedicate a 2.3-mile walk around Wailoa Park and a personalized luminary in memory of a cherished loved one.

Registration opens at 3:30 p.m. on event day. The walk begins at 5 p.m. and the luminaries will make their way down the river at 7 p.m. Live music will be offered by the Brown Ohana, Doug (Espejo) & Boni (Narito), and the Hawaii Men’s Chorus.

Prizes will be awarded to teams and individuals who raise the most funds. A variety of ono food and snacks will be available for purchase.

Registration forms and event information can be found at www.hospiceofhilo.org or by calling An Umamoto at 969-1733. Luminaries can be purchased at Hospice of Hilo at 1011 Waianuenue Ave. in Hilo HI 96720 for $20 before event day or for $25 on event day. KTA Superstores is a major sponsor of the event.

All proceeds will support Hospice of Hilo in its mission to care for patients facing a life-limiting illness and their loved ones.

“Celebration of Life is a beautiful and profound ceremony that contributes to healing those undergoing their individual journeys of grief. Watching the twinkling lights from the lanterns as they float down the river is a moving sight that reminds people that death is a part of life and they are not alone as they mourn the loss of a loved one,” said Hospice of Hilo community bereavement counselor Cathy Hough.

Hospice is a private, 501(c)3 organization, providing compassionate, quality end-of-life care to patients in East Hawaii from Laupahoehoe to South Point since 1983. In addition to providing emotional and clinical care to patients with an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, certified nurse’s aides social workers and spiritual counselors, Hospice also provides free bereavement counseling services to adults and children in the community.

Hospice’s Transitions Program provides counseling and volunteer support to seriously ill patients who need assistance navigating their treatment options. In August of 2012, Hospice opened the first hospice inpatient care center on a Neighbor Island, the Pohai Malama a Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Care Center. This beautiful, 12-suite, 14,140 square-foot center provides hospice care to patients who cannot receive services at their residences.

In a 2012 Quality Survey, the Hilo nonprofit exceeded leading national hospice programs in average client satisfaction ratings. Hospice of Hilo received an 81 percent excellence of care rating, exceeding the national average by nine points.

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